From Space Missions to Stormy Seas: President Murmu Honors India’s Bravest

President Murmu conferred seven Kirti Chakras and dozens of other gallantry awards during a poignant Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The ornate halls of the Rashtrapati Bhavan witnessed a solemn display of national gratitude this Monday as President Murmu conferred seven Kirti Chakras, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, upon men who have defined the limits of human endurance. Among the distinguished recipients was Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair. Already a household name as a designated Gaganyatri for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, the IAF pilot was honoured for his exceptional service, bridging the gap between his high-altitude training and the grit required for frontline defence.

The ceremony was a stark reminder of the multifaceted nature of service in our armed forces. While the Kirti Chakras recognised raw courage in the face of extreme adversity, the investiture also saw 15 Vir Chakras and 29 Shaurya Chakras handed out to personnel from the military, the Central Armed Police Forces, and state police units. Two Kirti Chakras were awarded posthumously to Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar and Lt. Shashank Tiwari, leaving the audience in a hushed reflection of the ultimate price paid for national security.

Tales of Grit and Endurance

Beyond the battlefield, the President highlighted feats of extraordinary tenacity. Lt. Commander Dilna K. and Lt. Commander Roopa A. were presented with Shaurya Chakras for their historic Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition. Navigating over 25,600 nautical miles, the duo battled the perilous Drake Passage—a stretch of water notorious for its violent storms. Their citation noted that they became the first Indians to reach Point Nemo, the oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, by sailboat, proving that bravery in the Indian forces is as much about scientific exploration and endurance as it is about combat.

Other recipients of the Kirti Chakra included Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundarama, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba, Major Arshdeep Singh, and Captain Lalrinawma Sailo. Each name represents a specific theatre of operation, from the rugged borders managed by the Rashtriya Rifles to the specialised tactics of the Para (Special Forces).

Why it matters

This investiture ceremony serves as a barometer for the evolving nature of India’s security architecture. By placing a Gaganyatri like Prasanth Nair alongside soldiers serving in the frontlines of the Assam Rifles, the state is signaling a shift in how it defines "gallantry." Today, bravery is not just measured by tactical successes in counter-insurgency operations, but also by the technological prowess and physical stamina displayed in modern, high-stakes missions. As India pushes for self-reliance in defence and space, these awards underscore that the human element remains the most critical asset in our national arsenal.